Auntie Emma isn't my aunt. She is a godly old lady known to our congregation by that affectionate name. I want to tell you about my first visit to her.
I was new in Richhill and auntie Emma was in a nursing home in Belfast. One day when we were in Belfast I asked Caroline if I could pop in and see her. I had been told that she suffered from dementia.
Auntie Emma blew me away. Although her short term memory lasted only a few moments, meaning our conversation repeated itself over and over, here was a woman whose mind was in love with God. She sat beside another Methodist woman whose name was Angus Pugh, although they were both suffering dementia they had a great friendship, I loved to watch it.
Auntie Emma would quote Scripture, talk about her love for God and recite her favorite hymn ('I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold'). When I returned to the car I told Caroline that this woman had ministered to me. I was struck that here was a woman whose mind was in love with God. Dementia had robbed so much but the core of her thoughts remained on God. It challenged me about the place of God in my own mind.
As I write this I am aware that dementia often has devastating effects on godly people. Wonderful saints have been reduced to cursing and aggression. I do not want to suggest that their behaviour has any reflection on their love for God. All I am saying is that in Emma's case dementia did not rob her of her wonderful nature and that as the short term memory faded her long love for God graciously remained.
Auntie Emma has faded further in recent years. It has been more of a struggle and even the hymns don't seem to be remembered any more. Yet as I think of that woman I believe I see some of the answer to why Richhill Methodist is the wonderful fellowship it is. It is in part because people like Auntie Emma have left a godly legacy!
1 comment:
Paul,
Emma McCann is indeed a wonderful lady...I've known her all my life! I have such fond memories of her taking us little ones for Sunday school..we were primary one age!! And Richhill Methodist Christmas Sunday school parties were such great craic with her in charge of the festivities.. It would be difficult to ascertain just how many children were touched by her great witness in Sunday school, but also the weekly Children's meeting she took with my mum..
After I left Bible Class in 1990, she asked me if I would help her out with her class. She encouraged me greatly as a young believer!! I called to see her recently in her nursing home in East Belfast, and although her advanced Alzheimer's made communication difficult, she still has that radiant smile..That same smile that had the ability to make every child feel special and loved!! Apparently her condition has deteriorated much recently..and I'm hoping to call up with her niece soon to see her...Thanks so much for your entry!! It has brought back some lovely memories for me and I know that many of my contemporaries from the 'Halcyon Days' of Richhill Methodist think of her with much fondness!! Blessings, Kathryn Long
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